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Shahinian Obelisk Passive Radiator Replacement

I just bought a pair of good condition Shahinian Obelisk speakers at a garage sale for $5 :-). Unfortunately, both 10" passive radiators had been completely removed and are gone. Shahinian Acoustics wants $275 for a replacement pair. Parts Express has replacements for $60 (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-494). There are also used pulls from good speakers on ebay for $25+ dollars.

My question is are passive radiators that sonically critical and precisely matched that I have to buy the $275 pair from Shahinian or could I get by with one of my other choices without muddling up the speakers? And if so which ones? Or are there other choices or vendors I should consider for the replacement? Thanks for the advice!!
zymaze
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
Madison Speaker Works/Madisound.Parts-express usually offers good advice.Give it a try.
zymaze OP
2 posts
 
Do you mean they have a forum I should address my question to or I should look at their replacement parts?
tonyptony
615 posts
 
Zymaze, these passives went through a number of design changes. If the passives are missing I'm going to guess they were the older white ones with foam-like surrounds; these will have deteriorated over time. The current ones are black with hybrid rubber surrounds. I'd be really surprised if you could get these as "pulls", as Shahinian uses screws and a resin type bonding compound to affix them to the cabinet. I can't see how a pull could be made without ripping it apart around the surround.

Having said that, if you can find legitimate pulls in good condition then go for it - but I think that's unlikely. The passives Shahinian uses come from somewhere in Europe, and they are expensive to begin with, but with the weakened dollar more so still. I know it's not cheap, but unless you are confident in finding a set of replacements you might be better off just having to get them directly from Shahinian. There's a good chance going another way you could wind up with something that will change the transmission line loading.

The Obelisks are too good to do something like that to! :-)
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